Related Articles

Israel is not in a constant state of war. Although bombings and fighting do occur, they are not everyday problems. The key to being safe when visiting Israel is to avoid crowds, especially demonstrations and protests, and to be aware of your surroundings.

When Not to Go

Avoid major Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays. Requiring particular care are the Jewish holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in September or October, Hanukkah in December and Passover in April. At those times, the country is more likely to have large crowds on the streets. If terrorists want to attack, they will choose times like this, when the potential for greater damage is higher. Christmas is also a very busy time that you might want to avoid.

Major Religious Sites

If you're visiting major religious sites, such as the Western Wall or Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, do it at the safest times possible, which are weekdays during the day. Avoid visiting during religious holidays, Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Avoid the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which falls inside the limits of the West Bank, unless you're with a tour group that has armed protection.

Checking for Danger

Always check Israel's travel advisory page at the U.S. Department of State website a couple of weeks before your trip. The page is updated regularly with any new developments that might affect your trip. If new threats of terrorist attacks or protests and demonstrations are underway, it might be wise to postpone or cancel your trip. The U.S. government recommends remaining alert while in public places in Israel, such as malls, bus stations and places of worship.

Gaza-Israel Border

It's never safe to travel to the Gaza-Israel border and the West Bank area. The U.S. government recommends that American citizens avoid these areas completely. If there's a current travel advisory for Israel, you might want to avoid the area around Gaza, too. According to the U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the risk of rocket fire extends for 25 miles around the Gaza perimeter.

About the Author

Sarah Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications including "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.

Have Feedback?

Thank you for providing feedback to our Editorial staff on this article. Please fill in the following information so we can alert the Travel Tips editorial team about a factual or typographical error in this story. All Fields are required.